The Cutting Edge

Internet Gap to Continue, Study Says

The gap between those in the United States who participate in the growing online society and the mostly poor and elderly who do not is entrenched and unlikely to disappear soon, a report said Wednesday.

A Consumer Federation of America study said the gap between the Internet-connected and the disconnected in America was leaving millions lagging in key areas such as economic and civic activities as more services migrate to the Net.

Of 1,900 people polled, 47% did not have Internet access at home, and half of these "disconnected" respondents did not own a computer.

Almost two-thirds of the disconnected population was concerned that technological progress could widen the gap between rich and poor and that the information revolution could leave some people behind.

The report titled "Disconnected, Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised," was written by Mark Cooper, CFA's director of research.